Category: Brain Injury

Brain Injury Claims Will Continue Until Helmets Mandatory

by John McKiggan

Fashion is preventing skiers and snowboarders from wearing helmets…and it’s putting them at risk of brain injury according to a Toronto neurosurgeon.

The Journal of the American Medical Association published a commentary this week from Dr. Michael Cusimano, a neurosurgeon at St. Michael’s Hospital:
“Despite compelling evidence that shows wearing a helmet significantly reduces the chance of head and brain injury, there are still those who argue that helmets are not fashionable or part of the ski culture,” wrote Cusimano.
There are certain sporting activities that are known to have a higher incidence of traumatic brain injury:
* Bicycling
* Skateboarding
* Rollerblading (Inline Skating)
In most jurisdictions it’s now mandatory to wear helmets when doing any of these activities. People accept that it’s just common sense.

Skier-carving-a-turn.jpg

Brain Injury Leading Cause of Death and Serious Injury for Skiers and Snowboarders

by John McKiggan

A new study from the University of Calgary has found that wearing a helmet while skiing or snowboarding reduces the risk of head injuries by 35%.

A report in the latest in the latest Canadian Medical Association Journal reported that traumatic brain injury is the leading cause of death and serious injury to skiers and snowboarders. Studies have found that between 2 and 5 of every 10 traumatic brain injuries could have been prevented by wearing a helmet.

Ski Industry Rejects Calls for Mandatory Helmet Use

NDP Requests Public Input Regarding “Minor Injury” Compensation Cap

by John McKiggan

Darrel Dexter’s NDP Government pledged to remove the unfair $2,500.00 cap on compensation for motor vehicle accident victims who have suffered a “minor injury”.

Constitutional Challenge Unsuccessful

A constitutional challenge was filed against the legislation arguing that the cap of $2,500.00 for persons who have supposedly suffered a minor injury was contrary to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The constitutional challenge failed at both the trial level and the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal. Leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada has been filed.

Facebook Being Used Against Personal Injury Victims

by John McKiggan

Defence Lawyers on Facebook

Everybody seems to be interested in Facebook, Twitter and all the other social media networks these days. That includes lawyers who represent insurance companies. There have been a series of cases across Canada where lawyers for insurance companies have demanded production of plaintiffs’ Facebook pages in order to use the information against the plaintiff.

Depressed Victim Looked Too Happy

Mandatory Helmets for Recreational Ice Skaters: Brain Injury Prevention

by John McKiggan

I noticed an interesting story in the latest newsletter from the Brain Injury Association of Canada
Hockey Helmets Mandatory for All Skaters

Dalhousie’s Memorial Arena is introducing a new rule that comes into effect January 1, 2010 that will require all skaters to wear CSA-approved hockey helmets during all skating sessions held at Dalhousie.

Skating More Dangerous than Bicycling or Skateboarding

Head Injuries the Result of “Culture” Within the Sports

by John McKiggan

Head Injury Seminar

Hockey Canada is conducting its 2009 concussion seminar in Regina this week. The seminar, being staged jointly by Hockey Canada and the Dr. Tom Pashby Sports Safety Fund invites hockey player, parents, team managers, therapists, coaches and trainers, physicians and other medical professionals to receive up to date information on the diagnosis, treatment and return to play protocol for players who suffer from a concussion.

Concussions a Problem in Hockey

What is a “Discovery”? Halifax Personal Injury Lawyer Explains

by John McKiggan

The Discovery Process

One of the most important steps in any personally injury claim is the oral discovery. If you file a lawsuit for compensation for personal injuries you will be required to testify about your knowledge of the event that lead to the lawsuit and your knowledge of the injuries that you have suffered.

In other words; what happened? How badly were you injured? How have the injuries effected your life?

Parents Cannot Waive Children’s Right to Sue for Negligence

by John McKiggan

Parental Waivers Not Worth the Paper They Are Printed On?

In what appears to be the first ruling of its kind in Canada, the British Columbia Supreme Court has ruled that parents cannot waive their children’s rights to sue for negligence when the child is injured as a result of participating in recreational or sports activities.

In Wong v. Lock’s Martial Arts Centre Inc, Justice Willcock held that British Columbia’s Infants Act:

Traumatic Brain Injuries May be Cured by Injectable Gel

by John McKiggan

Gel Encourages Growth of Brain Tissue

Bio engineers at Clemson University have created a gel made up of both synthetic and natural materials that they say has the ability to help brain tissues grow at the site of a traumatic brain injury.

Ning Zhang presented her findings on September 2, 2009 at the Military Research Forum, a conference focused on improving the health of members of the armed forces.